Boeing 757-200 (02-4452)

Submitted about a month ago

An all-white US State Department Special Operations B752 (02-4452), call sign "Milo Seven Eight," was clicked here at half past noon on Tuesday, 9 Jan (2018), during its takeoff roll down runway 16R. After an overnight stay in Reno, Milo Seven Eight was departing for Joint Base McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst in New Jersey to complete the second half of a trip from Hawaii (PHJR-KRNO-KWRI).

Paul Wisgerhof - if this Boeing's provenance appears perplexing with carrying a USAF s/n registration and operated by the State Department... well, note what Mr. Joe Baugher recorded regarding 02-4452 in his published information on USAF serial numbers -

"02-4452, Boeing C-32B, Another mysterious Boeing 757 (MSN 25493/523) previously B757-23A N59AW, N512AT, N312SF, N757AV, N84WA apparently operated by US State Department Foreign Emergency Support Team. Not sure if the serial is genuine. Seen at RAF Mildenhall Oct 31, 2005. The only markings are the numbers 24452 on the rear fuselage and a small American flag."

Even Wikipedia includes commentary on the unique character of this particular Boeing (and its sister aircraft):

"The 150th Special Operations Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., has two modified C-32B aircraft supporting specialist worldwide airlift operations (c/n 25493 & 25494). These are the only U.S Air Force C-32B in existence although both aircraft have been associated with a multiplicity of registrations. These 757s are fitted with a generic (non-VIP) interior and 48 comfortable seats, and unlike the C-32A, are equipped with aerial refueling equipment and Rolls-Royce RB211 engines. All luggage and cargo must be fitted into the rear of the main cabin (except for a small lower cargo hold that contains spare tires/wheels along with oil and hydraulic servicing units), the forward and aft lower cargo areas housing extended range fuel cells giving them a 6,000 nmi (6,900 mi; 11,000 km) range (the longest range of any 757 in operation). They have frequently been associated with the Foreign Emergency Support Team of the U.S. State Department."

Mark .... Howdy, and TY for the compli. (Wave)Cliff .. Hi. I wasn't aware of the conversation going on about this pic until just now. I very much appreciate the added info you have provided about this particular frame. I'm not certain, but I think that perhaps Paul is questioning the wording I used in the description when I posted this yesterday. And reading it now, I can understand how it could be interpreted incorrectly. I wrote " An all-white US State Department Special Operations ...". To me, it seems that Paul is stating that this a/c is NOT a State Department fleet aircraft ... and he is right. It isn't, and I guess my original description implies that it is. This is indeed a USAF a/c, and I suppose I should have said that. (Frankly, I've noticed that more and more contributors put nothing under their posts and no one seems to care so I figured "why bother" and lately I've been putting bare, or no, info. However, in this instance I did put descriptive info, and I guess I should have been more specific.) This is a USAF aircraft assigned to the USAF's Special Operations Command. It is primarily used by the US State Department in two primary roles: 1) Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST), and 2) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), missions. It is all white except for the USAF reg numbers in black and a small American flag. As shown on FlightAware, Milo Seven Eight was returning from Hawaii to McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst and stopped overnight in Reno. To the best of my knowledge, it was merely an RON stop. I know of no "emergencies" in our area that would have required either a FEMA or FEST visit here, and the crew appeared to be quite relaxed and casual while preparing to depart. I didn't get the impression that they were coming from, or heading into, any crisis situation.